Chapter 8 Git/GitHub

Git is powerful software that tracks files on your local computer and takes care of the versioning (line-by-line!) and bookkeeping that you might otherwise do yourself, for example with filenames like analysis_final_v3.R. GitHub is an online platform that socializes Git’s versioning capabilities, archiving your files online and enabling you to share and collaborate with others, and also opens a whole world of publishing.

Git and GitHub were not designed for scientists as primary users, so there are a lot of powerful features (branches, pull requests) that might not be immediately useful for scientists just getting started. And that’s okay! Interacting with GitHub from the browser is a fine way to start.

8.1 Git/GitHub Setup

There are several ways to interact with Git and GitHub from your computer, allowing folks to use what they are most comfortable with and/or already using in their workflows.

  • GitHub from the Browser - Julie Lowndes, NDCN Office Hours

    • 20-minute overview and first hands-on experience from the browser (recommended as an empowering, collaborative first experience, but not for computational workflows)

  • GitHub Application - GitHub

    • Software (GUI interface) for Mac, Windows, etc

  • GitHub from the Command Line

8.1.1 GitHub for R users

If you are an R user, you can interact with GitHub directly from RStudio, which enables a very streamlined workflow without extra software or need for the command line (for most daily needs).

8.3 GitHub Issues